Speaker

St Sebastian and the Purge

DVRodriguez2021-03-28T06:13:29-04:00

St Sebastian joined the Roman army to assist Christians being persecuted by pagan officials. Yet he so distinguished himself by excellent service to the empire that he became commander of the emperor's personal praetorian guard. He survived one execution, rebuked the most powerful man in the world, and suffered a 'second martyrdom.' We have experienced many disappointments this past year and are filled with concerns. I encourage you to fight for the faith and endure whatever trials may come your way. Be alert! A great purge is in progress. Nevertheless, like St. Sebastian we can live and work in this passing [...]

St Sebastian and the PurgeDVRodriguez2021-03-28T06:13:29-04:00

You Exist For God

DVRodriguez2021-03-28T05:09:29-04:00

You are on this earth to praise, reverence and adore the Lord your God. You are on this earth to serve God - not yourself. Think about this and act on it. Let us praise and reverence God in HIs infinite perfections. God is immutable. God is omnipresent. God is eternal. Blessed art Thou o God, worthy to be praised and glorified forever.

You Exist For GodDVRodriguez2021-03-28T05:09:29-04:00

Why We Veil During Passiontide

DVRodriguez2021-03-24T15:16:36-04:00

At the start of Passiontide we cover the cross and statues inside our churches and the relics are hidden. Veiling teaches many lessons. Our Lord hides from those who wish to kill Him until His hour arrives. Theologically, the Church too follows the Lord in His Passion. Liturgically, we veil that which is sacred and contains great power. Morally, veiling calls to mind the importance of modesty. Psychologically, veiling reminds us that many things remain hidden to us at present. It signals us to mortify our disordered curiosity and unhealthy suspicions, abandoning ourselves to Divine Providence. Anagogically, this practice foreshadows Christ [...]

Why We Veil During PassiontideDVRodriguez2021-03-24T15:16:36-04:00

Rejoice Over the Crosses God Sends You

DVRodriguez2021-03-21T15:56:06-04:00

Today, the Church calls those who have been in sorrow to rejoice. This joy is not one connected to pleasures of the senses, but is a fruit of the Holy Ghost which brings great peace and tranquility of soul. It is a spiritual joy that comes from following Christ. It is a lenten joy that does not come without the Cross. It is a joy that comes through much pain and sorrow, yet it endures (unlike the passings joys of the senses). The Cross alone nourishes our love of God. So rejoice and be glad when God favors you with one [...]

Rejoice Over the Crosses God Sends YouDVRodriguez2021-03-21T15:56:06-04:00

Never Jesus Without His Cross

DVRodriguez2021-03-19T08:10:46-04:00

We must always adore Christ - that is at the center of our holy religion. We just die to our self love and offer Him our body, mind and heart. Yet no one can truly adore Christ without adoring His holy Cross. Our love of God is weak because our love of the Cross is weak and our rejection of the Cross all too frequent. Attachment to the world and love of self are so strong in us, that we must unceasingly strive to purify ourselves by fasting, prayer and almsgiving. This is the only way to grow in our love [...]

Never Jesus Without His CrossDVRodriguez2021-03-19T08:10:46-04:00

Te Deum Laudamus

DVRodriguez2021-03-18T05:11:25-04:00

Many people were longing for an end to the year 2020. But perhaps we overestimate just how bad the year was. The Church officially responds to the end of every year by giving thanks to God and providing indulgences. Yes, there were many terrible things, but like the saints and holy Job, let us recognize the Hand of God in disasters and thank Him for it. As Christians we know that all things, save sin, come from the will of God. Let us thank God for 2020. It was a year in which we learned more about ourselves as a people [...]

Te Deum LaudamusDVRodriguez2021-03-18T05:11:25-04:00

Saint Joseph the Sidelined

DVRodriguez2023-05-01T11:35:21-04:00

Not only is St. Joseph silent and hidden in Scripture, but he was often sidelined. For example, he was excluded from Simeon's prophecy and was 'imprisoned' in Limbo during the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord. Many of the terrible sufferings he patiently bore are prefigured by the Patriarch Jospeh. Yet the glory of his bodily resurrection is prefigured in the Ark (type of Our Lady) and the bones of Joseph (type for him) which crossed over the Jordan River and into the Promised Land. If you think "I looked for help but found none," then go to St. Joseph!

Saint Joseph the SidelinedDVRodriguez2023-05-01T11:35:21-04:00

Amar y Aceptar a la Cruz

DVRodriguez2021-03-16T13:20:22-04:00

La voluntad de Dios es vuestra santificación. ¿Qué es lo que nos santifica? ¡La Cruz! Jamás la cruz sin Jesús, ni Jesús sin la cruz. No somos más santos porque en vez de aceptar a la cruz, la rechazamos. Pero si soportas tu cruz con valentía, te llevara al cielo. La Cruz nos asemeja a Jesucristo. La Cruz es la causa, el alimento, y la prueba del amor. La Cruz produce para quien la lleva un peso inmenso de gloria en el cielo. Hay que rezar por la gracia de aceptar y amar a la Cruz.

Amar y Aceptar a la CruzDVRodriguez2021-03-16T13:20:22-04:00

Pray to Accept and Love the Cross

DVRodriguez2021-03-16T13:03:11-04:00

Without the Cross, there is no growth in holiness. If we eliminate the Cross, we eliminate Christ. The sign of the Cross is a most terrible weapon against the devil. And yet the Cross remains a scandal and stumbling block - even for very devout Catholics. In theory, we praise it; but in practice, we lose courage, complain, and run away as soon as the possibility of suffering arises (just think how Mass and the public practice of our faith have recently been cancelled). The Cross is precious because: [1] It make us resemble Christ. [2] When well carried, it is [...]

Pray to Accept and Love the CrossDVRodriguez2021-03-16T13:03:11-04:00

O Cruz Fiel

DVRodriguez2021-03-17T03:27:00-04:00

La cuaresma trae ante nosotros de una manera más intensa espiritualmente la Cruz de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo. La cuaresma nos ofrece una gracia especial para verdaderamente centrar nuestras vidas en la Cruz y así poder beneficiar y gozar de sus poder salvificio. La Cruz tiene el poder de superar cualquier mal, convertir cada corazón, y santificar cada alma. La Cruz nos hace santos. Todo en nuestra santa religión apunta a la Cruz. Jesús nos dice "Si alguno quiere venir en pos de mí, niéguese a sí mismo, y tome su cruz, y sígame" (Mt 16:24). Pídanle a Dios la gracia de [...]

O Cruz FielDVRodriguez2021-03-17T03:27:00-04:00